Student fundraisers reach out to earthquake relief efforts

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Athletics classes at Queens Intermediate School raised the most funds of any class during the school’s fundraiser to help Haitian earthquake victims.

Athletics classes at Queens Intermediate School raised the most funds of any class during the school’s fundraiser to help Haitian earthquake victims.

Student fundraisers reach out to earthquake relief efforts

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Students in the Pasadena Independent School District are hoping they can make a world of difference for those who were affected by the massive earthquake in Haiti.

Fundraising drives and events were held throughout the district. Proceeds from the events went toward the Haiti relief efforts.

At Southmore Intermediate School, students raised more than $500 in donations that are being sent to St. Damien’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince. St. Damien’s is the only children’s hospital in Haiti. Since the earthquake in January, St. Damien’s has treated over 10,000 seriously and severely injured patients, and its staff of just 45 volunteer doctors and nurses have been performing 16 to 20 surgeries per day.

“The Southmore community is responding to the most urgent needs of our neighbors,” said Koy Severino, Southmore’s peer facilitator.

Southmore Intermediate nurse Joey Krafft’s family has been helping to raise funds for the children’s hospital for years, members of whom are there now as volunteer medical personnel.

The week-long fund drive at Southmore culminated with a performance by Jamaican songwriter Kyra Noons, who recently released a song titled “Hold on Haiti.” She performed along with musician Blacc Sheep during lunches at the school. The two musicians also visited with students during music classes and through school television broadcasts.

L.F. Smith raises over $1,100

The L.F. Smith Elementary School Student Council raised more than $1,100 during its Haiti fundraising drive. The school gave $596 to the American Red Cross relief efforts and $586 to the Hope for Haiti’s Children organization.

“Our students wanted to do their part to help the Haitian community rebuild their lives during this devastating time,” said Cathy Danna, L.F. Smith principal.

Queens Intermediate efforts

Queens Intermediate School raised over $500 as part of their Haitian earthquake relief drive. The eighth grade athletics classes of Queens Intermediate School coaches Carrie Moore, Jennifer Salazar and Elizabeth Salazar’s raised the most money for the “A Little Change Can Make a Big Difference” fundraiser. Donna Davison, Communities In Schools program coordinator, said the money was donated to the Yele Haiti foundation.